Pulmonologist - who is this and what kind of illness heals?

There is in medicine such a section - pulmonology, but it deals with the study of pathologies of the respiratory system. This young industry has become separate relatively recently, in the second half of the 20th century. It was associated with an increasing number of cases of bronchopulmonary diseases. In addition, the knowledge of physicians in this field has significantly increased, and it became clear that the direction is very extensive and requires the involvement of more narrow specialists. Moreover, many patients with diseases of the respiratory system have serious diagnoses, in which complications and significant deterioration of health and quality of life are not uncommon. After all, as you know, breathing is the most important physiological process, without which you can live only a few minutes.

So there was a new specialty of the doctor - pulmonologist. Who is this, consider in more detail. In fact, this is a therapist who conducts diagnostics, prevention and conservative treatment of respiratory diseases . If necessary, surgical intervention requires a thoracic surgeon.

What pathologies are treated by a pulmonologist

This is a very large list of diseases, among which there may be colds: rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia. But mostly they are more serious diagnoses:

• bronchial asthma;
• Protracted pneumonia;
• Obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Bronchitis smoker ;
• Pleurisy, including malignant;
• Fibrosing alveolitis;
• Fever of unknown origin;
• Bronchiectatic disease ;
• Chronic respiratory failure;
• Emphysema of the lungs;
• Sarcoidosis;
• Pulmonary fibrosis;
• Lung infarction;
• silicosis;
• Hemothorax.

In what cases should I contact this specialist

Pulmonologist - who is this? A doctor who needs to be consulted in case of the following signs of bronchopulmonary diseases:

1. Cough, dry or wet, with general weakness, fever, chills and sweating.
2. There is a lot of pus in the sputum.
3. Feeling of lack of air and a feeling of suffocation.
4. Shortness of breath with difficulty exhaling.
5. Pain in the chest when breathing.
6. There is an admixture of blood in the phlegm.
7. Feeling of constant persecution.

How to make a diagnosis

The doctor-pulmonologist uses for the purpose of diagnostics various methods of inspection:

1. Chest X-ray and ENT organs.
2. CT scan.
3. Endoscopic methods.
4. Laboratory research.
5. Evaluation of the functional capabilities of the respiratory organs with the help of equipment: peakflowmetry, spirography, pneumotachometry, spirometry.

Methods of treatment

Pulmonologist - who is this? Doctor who treats diseases of the trachea, lungs, bronchi, pleura. Now consider how this happens.

As a rule, these are conservative methods. This includes medical treatment: antibacterial, expectorant, bronchodilator, antitussive, as well as various inhalants that can be delivered with inhalers and nebulizers. In addition, physiotherapy and respiratory gymnastics are widely used.

Many diseases of the respiratory system require constant treatment and prevention of exacerbations. The doctor-lung specialist should conduct explanatory work, pay attention to possible risks. He has to constantly provide emergency help, for example, to stop attacks of suffocation.

Prevention

Pulmonologist - who is this, we found out. It remains to add that this doctor is also engaged in preventive work. The main advice of a pulmonologist:

1. Refuse to smoke.
2. Do physical exercises and train the respiratory system.
3. A full rest.
4. Regularly do fluorography, even if nothing bothers you.
5. Try to avoid contact with allergens.